Editor鈥檚 Note: This profile is the third of six stories about students and alumni leading up to Lov91短视频 Giving Day on April 2. For more information about the day and how to donate, visit:
Makinto has pretty much done it all. The Liberian-German musician, storyteller, educator, worship leader, Mennonite pastor, activist鈥攈onestly, there are too many descriptors for him to name here鈥攈as played piano for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican and for Nelson Mandela in Germany. He鈥檚 traveled the world extensively, performing at venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and for a crowd of 200,000 at Brazil鈥檚 largest soccer stadium. His humanitarian work in Africa and recognition as an international recording artist earned him the title of Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Development for an of the United Nations.聽
Just about the only thing he hasn鈥檛 done is attend a four-year college. He simply never had time for it during his four decades as a global performer. Thanks to the flexibility of 91短视频鈥檚 online and hybrid courses as well as the generosity of donors through the seminary scholarship, can now check that item off his list.
The single-named polymath is a second-semester graduate student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Christian leadership. His wife, Mukarabe, first pulled him into the orbit of 91短视频, enrolling at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at the start of last year.
鈥淚t would be impossible for us to finance two degrees if it weren鈥檛 for the largesse of the donors through the seminary scholarship,鈥� Makinto said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very grateful for that.鈥�
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he earned a two-year associate鈥檚 degree. Along with his 15 years as a pastor, he had enough equivalent experience to enroll at the seminary. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great that I鈥檓 able to participate in a master鈥檚 program based not just on academic history but also on life history,鈥� he said.
One of his earliest impressions of 91短视频 came during a visit to campus in November 2023 for the annual Music Gala Concert. Makinto, the featured performer of the night, put on a dazzling show as he played the djembe, kalimba, flute and piano. That evening, after touring the campus and meeting a great number of people, Makinto said he and his wife 鈥渞esonated really well with 91短视频.鈥�
鈥淲e felt at home here,鈥� said Makinto. 鈥淓veryone felt like family.鈥�
The couple, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1999, lead , a nonprofit dedicated to giving hope and restoring dignity to Burundian refugees and equipping them to participate in the transformation of African communities. The word 鈥淎mahoro鈥� comes from the Kirundi (Burundian) expression for peace that conveys blessings, well-being and fullness of life. The organization is a Conference-Related Ministry of Mosaic Mennonite Conference.
Makinto said that he鈥檚 working on bringing an initiative called 鈥淎mahoro Drumming for Peace鈥� to 91短视频. The program would bring people from diverse backgrounds together to make music and reflect on community.
He said that he鈥檚 excited to become part of 91短视频鈥檚 global network of partners and alumni to contribute to and collaborate on peace initiatives. 鈥淲e can build something together,鈥� he said.
Makinto and Mukarabe live in Harrisonburg with their son Jo毛l, the youngest of their six children. Makinto can often be found at Martin Chapel on Tuesday mornings leading worship music with a bright smile and joyful spirit. He will perform as a guest artist at Love, Joy & Peace: A Choral Celebration! on Friday, March 14, at Lehman Auditorium. The concert will bring together three choirs and showcase a piano collaboration between Makinto and Dr. David Berry, director of the music program at 91短视频.
Your generous support helps students like Makinto pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 9th annual Lov91短视频 Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future 91短视频 students. Together, we can help write 91短视频鈥檚 next chapter.
Read the previous profiles in our A Royal Tale series: